AASHTO Domestic Scan Proposal Form
AASHTO is soliciting topic proposals for a FY 2009 US Domestic Scan Program (NCHRP Panel 20-68A).
Each selected scan topic will be investigated through site visits to three to six locations over a one or two
week period, conducted by a group of eight to 12 transportation professionals with expertise in the
selected topic area. Proposed topics should meet the following criteria:
 Address an important and timely need for information by transportation agencies;
 Are of interest to a broad national spectrum of people and agencies;
 Are complex and also “hands-on,” meaning they lend themselves particularly well to
exploration through on-site visits; and
 Are sufficiently focused that the tour participants are able to investigate and understand key
issues in the limited time available on the tour.
Proposals should be returned no later than November 9th, 2007.
Proposal Contact Information
Name:
Tracy Scriba
Title:
Work Zone Technical Program Manager
Agency/AASHTO Committee: FHWA
Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE (Rm E86-206), Washington, DC 20590
E-mail: tracy.scriba@dot.gov
Telephone number:
202-366-0855
Date of submission:
11-7-07
Title of Proposed Scan
Work Zone Data and Performance Measurement Practices
Problem Statement (What topic is to be examined? What drives the need for the scan? Why now?)
Performance measurement is the key part of Strategic Planning that measures progress towards goals and
objectives, and is coming into widespread use among transportation agencies. Work zone performance
should be an integral part of agency-wide measurement programs. The recently-updated Work Zone
Safety and Mobility Rule requires transportation agencies to use field observations, available work zone
crash data, and operational information to manage work zone impacts for specific projects during
implementation, and to continually pursue improvement of work zone safety and mobility by analyzing
work zone crash and operational data from multiple projects to improve State processes and procedures.
Many agencies have little experience in collecting and analyzing work zone performance data beyond
crash and fatality reporting.
Scan Scope (What specific subject areas are to be examined?
Which cities and states might be visited? Which
agencies/organizations (including specific departments or types of staff if applicable)?
The scan would address current practices in work zone performance measurement – what safety and
congestion/operational performance measures States are using; how they are collecting the data for the
measures; and how they are using the data to make improvements in work zone performance and
management. The scan would address the role of technology and cover both high-tech and low-tech
monitoring methods.
Ohio would be one State to visit for its almost real-time analysis of WZ crash data. From a qualitative
perspective, Missouri tracks several WZ safety and operational performance measures via its Tracker.
Additional States/examples would be included in the scan.
Staff: DOT Construction, Traffic Engineering, and Project Management Staff; FHWA; Contractors
Scan Objectives (What key information is to be gained?
What information is to be shared after the scan? Who
would the audience be for this information?)
The scan will examine and lead to the sharing of information on what some States have done to:
 develop work zone performance measures,
 collect data to track measures, and
 use that data to make improvements to processes, specifications, and practices used for work
zone planning, design, and construction.
The primary audience would be State DOTs, with others including contractors, consultants, and
municipalities also benefiting.
Benefits Expected (Including potential impacts on current technology or procedures)
Improving the performance of work zones is important to transportation agencies trying to serve the
public. Work zones’ significance is expected to grow as the combination of decaying infrastructure and
increased traffic demand will lead to more work zones with a greater impact on travelers. An ongoing
work zone performance monitoring program will provide information that will help lead to
improvements in mobility, safety, customer satisfaction, and possibly durability (lengthening the
longevity of project improvements and thereby reducing the reoccurrence of work zones through
improved construction practices and materials).